Successful demarcation makes strong Russia ties
Bi Lun Updated: 2004-10-15 08:51
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing yesterday, beginning a three-day state visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.
This is Putin's third visit to China and his first in his second presidential term.
As an important part of the celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Putin's China tour will certainly deepen the Sino-Russian strategic co-operative partnership.
Over the past decade, major achievements in the relationship between Beijing and Moscow have been exemplified by a series of presidential summits and talks between high-ranking officials.
Bilateral relations have made significant breakthroughs as the two countries are able to settle problems with frankness and sincerity, and seek solutions acceptable to both sides.
Yesterday in Beijing, the two countries signed a joint communique and a series of important co-operative documents, among them is a supplementary land demarcation agreement on the eastern border of China and Russia.
The signing of the agreement will be another tangible result of both countries' determined efforts to solve the border issues since they inked the land border demarcation agreements on the eastern border in 1991 and the western border in 1999.
As the main payoff for decades of arduous but patient and pragmatic negotiations between the two countries, the landmark documents mark the successful demarcation of the 4,300-kilometre-long common border.
This forms a cornerstone of stability for the Sino-Russian relationship as it is expected to finally end the long-running demarcation dispute, which was a main source of bilateral discord.
The signing of the agreements fully demonstrates the two countries have the ability and wisdom to settle the lingering issue left over by history.
A result of mutual understanding and concessions, the agreements will undoubtedly help bring enduring peace and stability to the region and the world as a whole, thus serving the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.
(China Daily)
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